Remote health monitoring system

ABSTRACT

The invention relates generally to remote health monitoring systems, as applied to the field of public health surveillance. In particular, it relates to a multi-user remote health monitoring system that is capable of reliably identifying and collecting data from frontline healthcare providers, laboratory and hospital information systems, patients and healthy individuals in a number of ways, with a view to aid in the field of public health. The system can also be used to query and collect additional information regarding specifics pertaining to the health of the individuals, and for patient tracking, monitoring, and the collection of individual data.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/840,945, filed May 7, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,399,276, which claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/469,453 filed May 8, 2003, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to remote health monitoring systems, as applied to the field of public health surveillance. In particular, it relates to a multi-user remote health monitoring system that is capable of reliably identifying and collecting data from frontline healthcare providers, laboratory and hospital information systems, patients and healthy individuals in a number of ways, with a view to aid in the field of public health. The system can also be used to query and collect additional information regarding specifics pertaining to the health of the individuals, and for patient tracking, monitoring, and the collection of individual data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recent events including the ongoing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Epidemic underscore the constant public health threat faced by the United States with regard to new and emerging infectious diseases.

There is a need for a disease surveillance system that reduces time-to-detection monitors preparedness at the local level, and automatically integrates information from range of sources and facilitating investigations and enabling rapid statistical analyses to performed. The surveillance systems should monitor the health of the population in real and on a continuous basis. Many disease agents offer only a brief window between exposure and the onset of symptoms. In addition, many agents, like anthrax, cannot be successfully treated once the condition has become advanced but can be treated if caught early. Thus, window of time during which effective intervention is possible can be very narrow. In to facilitate rapid responses, surveillance systems must be capable of monitoring information on an ongoing basis. In order to intervene successfully to treat existing infections and prevent the onset of new ones, health surveillance systems should provide a continuous, realtime (or as near real-time as possible), and accurate overview of a population's health. Monitoring, and following up individuals who present themselves at healthcare facilities in both the emergency and the routine setting, and monitoring the results of laboratory and radiological investigations, routine hospital census information and autopsy reports of unexplained deaths would help accomplish this in real life.

Information systems that integrate data collected over multiple healthcare facilities and large populations enable dedicated public health analyst(s) at the Health Departments to attach significance to seemingly disparate events, and subsequently recognize the occurrence of a biological event far earlier than if it were done on an individual basis at an individual healthcare facility.

Current infectious disease reporting systems typically wait until the diagnosis of a specific disease before the care provider reports to the public health department. Crucial time is also lost from when a test is reported as positive to its report reaching the physician who ordered it. Many possible bioterrorism agents do not present with specific symptoms in the early stages of the disease and therefore are difficult to identify. This means that care providers have to wait until the disease has progressed to advanced stages before they report to the local health department. Given the contagious nature of many targeted diseases and the potential threat of cross contamination from biological agents, the early identification of biological attacks is imperative. The ability to quarantine or decontaminate exposed populations thereby preventing further dissemination of harmful agents will be greatly facilitated by the use of active surveillance and monitoring.

Last year, there were approximately 100 million emergency room visits in the United States. Therefore, each of the approximately 4,200 emergency rooms received on average of 66 visits per day, with some larger emergency departments at academic medical centers and major trauma centers experiencing greater than 150 visits per day. If the scope of surveillance is expanded to include physicians' offices, walk-in clinics, laboratory and radiological data, and hospital information systems the requirements for the successful collection of information on each patient's symptoms, become particularly challenging.

Many emergency care facilities currently participate in rudimentary active surveillance programs. Such programs typically involve paper-based surveys that are faxed to a central county location for manual tabulation. In addition to their time consuming nature, paper-based surveys greatly reduce the ability to query discrete data elements, limit the ability to change the data elements collected in response to a new event, and are much more open to errors due to manual recording, tabulation and data entry.

For an active surveillance system to succeed, it must have the following characteristics: real time data collection, low burden of data entry and maintenance on healthcare providers, ability to dynamically respond to new information, ability to collect data from a wide range of settings (ERs, clinics, physicians' offices, laboratories, hospital information systems etc.), ability to aggregate data across jurisdictions and regions, ability to collect incrementally more information about high-risk patients, two way communication capabilities to provide immediate feedback and education to front-line healthcare providers. The invention described below enables public health officials do this in an inexpensive and convenient manner. In addition, the system may be used to automate components of standard hospital procedures/protocols, and save precious time to detection in case of the unfortunate occurrence of such an event.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a networked system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the interaction of the components of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a remotely programmable apparatus of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the components of the apparatus of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates the data collection process, according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is a table of a BASIICS model.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of step-up intensity based on a threat level.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a reporting process.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a front view of a Health Buddy.

FIG. 10 is diagram showing an example set of screens on a Health Buddy.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a data flow for an active disease surveillance.

FIG. 12 is a table comparing the Health Hero network with a conventional process.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of a Health Buddy coupled to a first sensor.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of a Health Buddy coupled to a second sensor.

FIG. 15 is a diagram of example technologies and formats that may be used in the monitoring.

FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of example patient profile and patient summaries.

FIG. 16( a) depicts details of the example patient profile of FIG. 16.

FIG. 16( b) depicts details of the patient summaries of FIG. 16.

FIG. 17 is a diagram of example interactive dialogues.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIG. 1, a networked system 16 includes a server 18, a workstation 20, an information system server 106 connected to a remote apparatus 26 through a communication network 24. Communication network 24 is any network that allows the transmission of data between server 18, workstation 20, remote apparatus 26 and information system server 106.

Network 24 may suitably include a wireless communication network, cellular network, telephone network, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), storage area network (SAN), Wireless in Local Loop (WLL) network, virtual private network WPN), WiFi network, digital television network, or the Internet. The server 18 is preferably a server that is capable of communicating data on more than one such communication network 24. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the server 18 may comprise a single stand-alone computer or multiple computers distributed throughout a network.

An individual 60 uses the apparatus 26 to communicate with the system 16. Individual 60 may be any person whose health status is being monitored by the system 16. For one non-limiting example, the individual 60 is a person who has been exposed to a disease causing agent, or another individual who has developed a specified disease. For another example, the individual 60 is a person who is enrolled in a community “sentinel surveillance” program, whereby the health of a certain percentage of individuals in the community is constantly monitored for the development of disease.

Additionally, the individual 60 may be a person who is on a remote health management program for a chronic disease, and whose health is being additionally monitored as a part of “sentinel surveillance”. For one non-limiting example, the system 16 additionally monitors the health of patients in a COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) disease management program. An advantage of monitoring patients with chronic diseases, and incorporating this data into a public health surveillance system is that such patients are inherently more vulnerable to the development of disease, and are likely to exhibiting disease manifestations at an earlier point in time. The monitoring improves the sensitivity of the system, and reduces the time-to-detection of an outbreak. An advantage to the patient is a more intensive monitoring, and an overall better health outcome. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that patients with any chronic disease, (e.g., elders with Congestive Heart Failure, children with Asthma or Type I Diabetes) may be monitored for the purpose of public health surveillance. An advantage to the patient is an increased level of monitoring and a more responsive disease management, which ultimately leads to a better health outcome.

Further, the individual 60 may be a caregiver at a healthcare facility, suitably including a Triage Nurse at an Emergency Department. The triage nurse inputs information on a plurality of patients reporting at a healthcare facility. Additionally, patient information and measurements are taken by the remote apparatus for input into the system 16.

Apparatus 26 is any device that allows the communication between the individual 60 and the system. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 26 is a consumer communication device that suitably includes a data receipt means, a display unit, a data input means, a data transmission means, a physiological variable measuring means, a patient identification means, a data-storage means, a system logic means and a geographical localization means.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 26 is capable of making a measurement 44 (not shown) of at least one physiological variable of an individual. The physiological variable may be any measurement that helps in the detection of disease or disease related changes in an individual suitably including body temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate and skin galvanic conduction. Additionally the physiological variable may include any measurement that will enable the positive identification of the individual, suitably including a digital fingerprint, a retinal scan, or a DNA assay. The apparatus 26 is designed to interact with a plurality of individuals in accordance with script programs received from the server 18. The apparatus 26 is in communication with the server 18 through the communication network 24, preferably a wireless communication network.

Alternatively, the remote apparatus 26 may be any electronic device that is capable of displaying queries and transmitting the responses of the individual 60 to the server 18. For one non-limiting example, the remote apparatus 26 is a remote communication enabled Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and the individual 60 replies to queries received from the server 18. Alternatively the remote apparatus 26 is a personal computer connected to the internet and the individual replies to queries that are displayed on a webpage. Alternatively the apparatus 26 is an interactive television set and the responses of the individual 60 to queries are transmitted through a digital television network to the server 18. It is apparent that many other electronic devices and communication systems may be used to this end.

A health analyst 61 uses the workstation 20 to analyze the data that is made available from within the system 16. The analyst 61 is any person with the requisite expertise, and who is authorized to access the system 16. Workstation 20 is preferably a personal computer connected to the server 18 via a secure internet connection. The workstation 20 serves as an interface for health analyst 61 to analyze the health monitoring data of the individual 60 that is made available through remote apparatus 26 and information system server 106. In addition, the analyst uses workstation 20 to enter messages, queries and requests for physiological measurements of the monitored individual 60.

Information system server 106 may be any computer system that contains health related information of the individual 60. Information system server 106 suitably includes hospital information systems, diagnostic laboratory and radiological information systems, hospital administrative and billing information systems and pharmacy inventory and billing systems. Additionally, Information system server 106 includes such sources of information that provide the general health information of groups of individuals. At each Information system server 106, a Data Entry Operator 180 inputs health and related data.

For one non limiting example, system server 106 is located in a pharmacy, and the operator 180 is a pharmacist who inputs data relating to the sales of specified medication, such as over the counter (OTC) medication e.g. a cough syrup. The information is inputted into the system 16 and an abnormal increase in the sales of the specified medication is used as a possible indicator of a developing epidemic. Analyst 61 may review the data, and additionally may communicate with the pharmacist to elicit specific data relating to the epidemic.

For another non-limiting example, system server 106 is located in the emergency medical department of a hospital, and operator 180 is a caregiver who inputs patient data into the information system. For another non-limiting example, system server 106 is located in a school, and the information inputs is the attendance and information on the children who have reported sick on a particular day.

For clarity of illustration, only one apparatus 26 and information system server 106 is shown in FIG. 1. It is to be understood that the system 16 may include any number of apparatuses, and servers with each apparatus and server used to retrieve health related information about any number of individuals.

FIG. 2 shows the server 18, the workstation 20 and the information system server 106 in detail. Information system server 106 includes an information database 106D, an extractor program 106E and a sentinel data 43. Information database 106D suitably includes the data within the information system server 106 that is of public health significance. For one non-limiting example, in a pharmacy server, database 106D includes data on the number of units of a specified medication that were sold in a given period of time. In a healthcare facility, information database 106D includes the information on the number of patients who presented with a particular set of symptoms, or tested positive for a particular disease agent. Extractor program 106E is a computer program that is installed on the server 106. Extractor program scans the data in information database 106D to extract sentinel data 43, which contains the information in a standardized format, for transmission to server 18.

The server 18 includes a database 38 for storing script programs 40. The script programs 40 are executed by the apparatus 26 to communicate queries and messages to the individual 60, receive responses 42 to the queries, collect physiological measurements 44, and transmit the responses 42 and the measurements 44 to the server 18. The database 38 is designed to store responses 42 and measurements 44. The database 38 further includes a look-up table 46. The table 46 contains a list of individuals, healthcare facilities, and data sources within the healthcare facilities that provide data inputs into the surveillance system; and for each entity, a unique identification means and a pointer to the script program 40. Each apparatus 26 is designed to execute assigned script programs 40 which it receives from the server 18.

The server 18 further includes a monitoring application 48. The monitoring application 48 is a controlling software application executed by the server 18 to perform its various described functions. The application 48 includes a script generator 50, a script assignor 52, a report generator 54, a search engine 54A, a mapping engine 54B, an analysis engine 54C and a protocol engine 53.

The system 16 further includes an interactive voice response system 27A (IVRS 27A) a telephone based reporting system, and an inter-net based form 27B (IBF 27B) that allow for the reporting of unstructured information into the system 16 by caregivers, who notice a rare or unusual occurrence that is suspicious and/or indicative of an impending outbreak; in order to bring this information to the attention of analyst 61. It is also used advantageously by caregivers and citizens who are otherwise not covered by the system 16 to report disease data, and as a source of information.

Responses 42 of Database 38 archive data of the individual 60 from information sources. The data is further processed by the search engine 54A, mapping engine 54B and analysis engine 54C to highlight to the analyst 61 the information that is suspicious of a disease outbreak. The analyst 61 may use the analysis tools 54D to further analyze the information within responses 42. The analysis tools 54D interfaces with search engine 54A, mapping engine 54B, and analysis engine 54C using application program interfaces (API) to generate a report 58 for display on workstation 20.

Search Engine 54A works like an internet search engine and scans responses 42 for data that may indicate an outbreak. Mapping engine 54B creates graphical visualizations of responses 42 and sentinel data 43 permitting analysis by analyst 61. Further, mapping engine 54B uses visual interpretative and graphical processing methods to analyze the images for abnormal data. Analysis engine 54C automatically analyzes the responses 42 and sentinel data 43, to bring to the attention of analyst 61 abnormal or other data that is likely to signify an impending outbreak. Protocol Engine 53 is an API that permits the monitoring application 48 to automatically assign the script program 40 on the basis of the latest information in responses 42.

In case the analyst 61 determines that more information is needed in a certain case, he/she uses a script entry screen 56 and a script assign screen 57 to create and assign script program 40 to the individual 60, which may be an individual citizen or a caregiver at a healthcare facility.

Specific techniques for generating scripts for transmission to remote devices, for assigning scripts to specified individuals, for creating the script generator 50, the script assignor 52, the report generator 54, the search engine 54A, the mapping engine 54B, the analysis engine 54C, the protocol engine 53 are given in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/279,749; filed Oct. 23, 2002; inventors Brown, et al., herein incorporated by reference.

FIGS. 3-4 show the structure of each apparatus 26 according to the preferred embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3, the apparatus 26 includes a housing 62. The housing 62 is sufficiently compact to facilitate the easy handling of the apparatus, and for it to be kept on the person of the individual 60. The apparatus 26 also includes a display 64 for displaying queries and prompts to the individual. In the preferred embodiment, the display 64 is a liquid crystal display (LCD).

Four user input buttons 70A, 70B, 70C, and 70D are located adjacent to the display 64. User input buttons 70A, 70B, 70C, and 70D are for entering in the apparatus 26 responses to the queries and prompts. In the preferred embodiment, user input buttons 70A, 70B, 70C, and 70D are momentary contact push buttons. In alternative embodiments, the user input buttons 70A, 70B, 70C, and 70D may be replaced by switches, keys, a touch sensitive display screen, or any other data input device.

Three monitoring device jacks 68A, 68B, and 68C are located on a surface of housing 62. Device jacks 68A, 68B, and 68C are for connecting the apparatus 26 to a monitoring device 28. Monitoring device 28 is an attachment to the apparatus which enables the measurement of a physiological variable. For one non-limiting example, device 28 is a digital thermometer that measures the body temperature of the individual 60. Device 28 may be a digital pulse oximeter that measures the pulse rate and oxygen saturation in the capillary blood of the individual 60. Additionally, monitoring device is a skin galvanic conduction meter that measures the electrical conduction across the skin of individual 60. Many other devices are available for the measurement of physiological variables in the individual.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention, device 28 is automated chemical and toxicological analyzers, radiological meter (e.g. Geiger counter) which is attached to the apparatus 26, through respective connection cables (not shown). An advantage of this embodiment is that the apparatus 26 may be placed in a care facility or as a part of a First Responder Unit for immediate assessment of the individual 60 and communication of this information to the system 16.

The apparatus 26 also includes a wireless-chip 66 for receiving and communicating data with the server 18. Wireless-chip may be any generic cellular phone/global phone chip with an embedded transmitter and receiver. The apparatus 26 further includes a biometric identifier component 74. Biometric identifier component 74 is any component, including a microprocessor embedded component that allows the device to identify the individual 60. For non-limiting examples, component 74 may be a fingerprint scanner, a voice identification device, an iris scanner, a retinal scanner, a DNA micro-array scanner, etc.

The apparatus 26 also contains a data card reader 63. The data card reader 63 is capable of reading a data card 65 containing information about the individual 60. In the present invention, the data card 65 contains the identity of the individual and/or the healthcare facility, and the respective authentication codes. The data card 65 is placed in the data card reader 63, thus allowing the apparatus 26 to store information of the individual locally, and assign the script program 40. The apparatus 26 also has an embedded global positioning system (GPS) component 67, allowing the system to elicit information on the geographical location of apparatus 26.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the components of the apparatus 26 in detail. The apparatus 26 includes a microprocessor 76, and a memory 80 connected to the microprocessor 76. The memory 80 is preferably a non-volatile memory, such as a serial EEPROM. The memory 80 stores script programs 40 received from the server 18, measurements 44 received from the monitoring device 28, responses to queries, and individual's unique identity from biometric identifier component 74, and/or data card reader 63. The microprocessor 76 also includes built-in read only memory (ROM, which stores firmware) for controlling the operation of the apparatus 26. The firmware includes a script interpreter used by the microprocessor 76 to execute script programs 40. The script interpreter interprets script commands, which are executed by the microprocessor 76.

The script commands allow apparatus 26 to identify the operator through user buttons 70A, 70B, 70C, and 70D, the biometric identifier component 74 or the data card 65. They also allow the apparatus 26 to display the query sets to the individual 60 receive responses 42 to the query sets, receive measurements 44 from the monitoring device 28, and transmit responses to the server 18. Specific techniques for interpreting and executing script commands in this manner are well known in the art.

The microprocessor 76 is preferably connected to the memory 80 using a standard two-wire 12C interface. The microprocessor 76 is also connected to user input buttons 70A, 70B, 70C, and 70D, data card reader 63, biometric identifier component 74, GPS component 67, a clock 84, and a display driver 82. The clock 84 indicates the current date and time to the microprocessor 76. For clarity of illustration, the clock 84 is shown as a separate component, but is preferably built into microprocessor 76. The display driver 82 operates under the control of the microprocessor 76 to display information on the display 64. The microprocessor 76 is preferably a PIC 16C6S processor that includes a universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART) 78. The UART 78 is for communicating with a modem 86 and a device interface 90. A CMOS switch 88 under the control of the microprocessor 76 alternately connects modem 86 and interface 90 to UART 78.

The wireless chip 66 is for exchanging data with the server 18 through a wireless communication network 24. The data includes script programs 40 which are received from the server 18 as well as responses 42 to queries, device measurements 44, script identification codes, the individual's and healthcare facility's unique identification code, and authentication codes that the chip 66 transmits to the server 18. The chip 66 is preferably a commercially available generic wireless transmitter-receiver embedded chip, although any suitable modem may be used. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the chip 66 is suitably a WAP enabled, WLL enabled, 3G enabled, Bluetooth enabled, satellite telephone enabled, WiFi enabled embedded chip.

The device interface 90 is connected to the device jacks 68A, 68B, and 68C. The device interface 90 is for interfacing with monitoring device 28. The device interface 90 operates under the control of the microprocessor 76 to collect measurements 44 from the monitoring devices and to output the measurements to the microprocessor 76 for storage in the memory 80. In the preferred embodiment, the device interface 90 is a standard RS232 interface. For simplicity of illustration, only one device interface is shown in FIG. 4. However, in alternative embodiments, the apparatus 26 may include multiple device interfaces to accommodate monitoring devices 28 which have different connection standards.

GPS Component 67 is connected to the processor 76 allows the transmission of geographical localizer data to the system 16.

In alternate embodiments of the invention, the chip 66 may be a high speed cable modem, the device jacks 68A, 68B and 68C may be serial USB ports, and the communication network 24 a Local Area Network connected to the Internet. Such an embodiment will allow faster data transmission. In addition, the embodiment decreases the expenses that may be incurred in the installation of the system in healthcare and laboratory facilities that have preestablished network systems, In another embodiment, in addition to the above, monitoring device 28 is included in the casing 62 of apparatus 26 allowing a reduction in hardware and manufacturing costs.

FIG. 5 illustrates the data collection and follow-up process, according to the invention. At a block 702, server 18 receives sentinel data 43 from the information system server 106, and responses 42 from individual 60 that include responses to queries and physiological measurements taken at a low frequency. The low frequency of queries and measurements is to ensure that the individual 60 remains in communication with the system on a regular basis, and is aware of the system. At a block 704, the monitoring application reviews the database 38 data continuously and automatically and independent manual review of data takes place by analyst 61. At a block 706, the analyst and/or the monitoring application 48 and its subcomponents determine that a combination of data in the database represents a “credible threat” in terms of a possible outbreak. In case the system 16 already has predefined protocols within protocols 53 on the procedure to be followed in case of the outbreak, the respective procedure is followed by the monitoring application at a block 708. Alternatively, at a block 710, the analyst 61 uses the script entry 56 and script assigns 57 screens to elicit more information about a possible outbreak. This is simultaneously accompanied by an increased frequency of data collection from the individual 60 who is living in adjacent areas, and a more regular analysis of all system data.

In this manner the system steps up from a passive collection of data, that is low burden on the individual and the healthcare system to a more active surveillance of data on the basis of the level of “threat” of an outbreak within the population. At a block 712, depending on the confirmation/negation of the presence of an outbreak, the level of alert, and of data collection may be further increased or brought back to the original levels. An advantage of the above is that the need for information and the burden posed to the healthcare system by the increased amount of collected and reportable information is balanced by the system process.

Two of the improvements on the BASIICS (Biothreat Active Surveillance Integrated Information and Communication System) application (public health surveillance) implemented by the system 16 are the following.

BASIICS for Quarantine:

Health Buddy (e.g., apparatus 26) is an ideal solution for monitoring a population that public health officers consider may be at risk of exposure to an infectious disease like SARS. (Severe Acute Respitory Syndrome) It allows frequent systematic monitoring and management by exception. The method of monitoring encourages patient compliance, but it does not guarantee it. In a situation like SARS, the people most at risk might be reluctant to comply with reporting symptoms because they could be worried about being quarantined.

Monitoring issues are addressed by combining a means of identifying the patient with the diagnostic test. The monitoring looks at DNA and various analytes in urine to ensure the identity of someone being monitored for drug use in a remote monitoring system. The present invention moves away from analytes and focuses on fingerprint identity and ensuring that there is a closed circuit with the patient analyte measurement.

The improved method for SARS measures temperature and validates that the person entering the data is the right person and is not cheating. The present invention includes a digital thermometer attached to Health Buddy. To ensure the identity of the person taking the temperature, a fingerprint reader may be built into Health Buddy. When the person is taking his temperature, he presses his index finger onto the fingerprint reader, identifying himself. The Health Buddy may also be able to measure the impedance through the circuit created from the digital thermometer to the mouth through the arm and the finger on the fingerprint reader. Based on the fingerprint and the impedance in the circuit it will be very hard to cheat the system.

BASIIS Intensity Sensitive to Threat Level:

Research showed at Stanford that personnel may unobtrusively collect data at triage for every patient coming through the Emergency Department. Many hospitals, however, believe that any additional data collection is too much of a burden. Other environments exist where intense monitoring may not be justified most of the time.

The BASIICS improvements generally allow the intensity of monitoring to be scaled to the threat level. When the threat is low (as determined by either prior data or a public health official), the survey runs once per shift. That way the user is kept aware of the system and still checks-in in a systematic way. When the threat level is elevated, the Health Buddy goes into a more intense mode, requesting data more than once per shift, at various levels including:

-   -   Once per hour or other interval.     -   Once per patient (in the case of an ER).     -   Once per patient with patient identification entry for the         highest threat level.

The setting of the threat level in the server is communicated with the Health Buddy units in the field in several ways:

-   -   When the “first survey of the shift” is entered, Health Buddy         dials in to send the data and retrieve new threat information.         Health Buddy will be prompting the user for the “first survey of         the shift” until the nurse checks in.     -   Threat levels, modes and survey content is sent to the Health         Buddy by digital radio broadcast. Health Buddy dials in on the         phone line to transmit responses to surveys (e.g., Broadcast         downstream, dial-up for the back channel.) Therefore, all Health         Buddy's are always current with the right info and mode.

A consumer device Health Buddy generally integrates the following elements:

-   -   Temperature measurement via a digital thermometer, or any other         objective test.     -   Scripted survey for other data collection—GPS for location         detection.     -   Optional identification methods for verifying who is doing the         test (e.g., fingerprint).     -   Transmission of collected data to a server (e.g., wireless cell         phone chip on board).     -   Ability to accept new program instructions or scripts wirelessly         via digital broadcast or two way cell phone transmission).

The other embodiments may operate over Interactive TV, mobile device, and web as well as Health Buddy.

Back End Analytics:

Data feeds may be accepted from the following sources:

-   -   Over the counter retail sales of pharmacy nationwide to identify         a spike in sales of any drug that might indicate an outbreak.     -   Chief complaint data from hospital emergency departments,         captured through existing web based systems or through Health         Buddy. The intensity of data collection depends on the alert         level. When there is low alert, there is still an interaction         but it is less frequent and such an interaction may be referred         to as a “continuous training”.     -   Data from in-home monitoring.         -   From vulnerable populations already in some kind of             monitoring, like elderly patients with heart failure or AIDS             patients with compromised immune systems. The vulnerable             populations are the “canary” in the mine. Unusual incidence             of symptoms in a vulnerable population can be an early             detector of other things coming.         -   From populations determined by public health to be at risk             and are in some kind of quarantine situation.

The analytics engine will look at the combination of pharmacy, hospital, and home data in a region or metro area to determine if there is suspicion that needs to be investigated further. When suspicion is raised, the system will send out more detailed and additional questions to the participants.

A mission of BASIICS may be to save lives by improving the public health training, surveillance and response infrastructure for detecting and mitigating biological threats. A strategy may be to improve slow, passive reporting with active disease surveillance. Another strategy may replace static paper forms and faxes with survey technologies that may adapt to new information. Still another strategy may aggregate consistent data for real-time analysis across local and regional jurisdictions. Another strategy may adapt the intensity of the monitoring and intervention to the threat level.

Referring to FIG. 6, a table of a BASIICS model is shown. The model generally comprises a comprehensive surveillance, training and intervention model. Rows of description, pharmacy, hospital and home elements are shown relative to (i) low threat, (ii) suspicion or high risk event and (iii) confirmed threat, outbreak or attack threat statuses.

Referring to FIG. 7, a diagram of step-up intensity based on the threat level is shown. The row of pharmacy, hospital and home elements are shown relative to (i) low threat—passive surveillance, (ii) suspicion—active surveillance and (iii) confirmed—intervention actions.

Referring to FIG. 8, a block diagram of a reporting process is shown. The process (or method) generally includes activities at a local level, a county level, a state level and a national level. At the local level, doctors and/or hospitals may notify the county level of suspicious activity. At the county level, monitoring personnel may collate information and notify the state level, if appropriate. Monitoring personnel at the state level generally monitor the county level information and notify the national level when appropriate. At the national level the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and/or the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may dispatch teams to investigate the reports. Some of the unique challenges of covert bioterrorism type activity may include long incubation periods, non-specific initial symptoms like fever and rash, reporting may be triggered by suspicion at local level and no real-time analysis or aggregated data is currently available.

Referring to FIG. 9, a diagram of a front view of a Health Buddy is shown. Low burden field data capture may be achieved using the Health Buddy. For example, front-line medical professionals may report data simply by pushing buttons on low burden desktop devices. The Health Buddy may be used for training and surveillance at home, hospitals and/or pharmacies. Furthermore, consolidated structured syndromic data may be analyzed statistically and in real-time.

Referring to FIG. 10, diagram showing an example set of screens on a Health Buddy is shown. The screens generally illustrate a dynamic survey capability using the Health Buddy. In a first screen, the patient may be queried for specific symptoms. An interactive survey with conditional logic enables follow-up questions based on risk factors, as shown in the middle screen. The surveys may be refined quickly in response to changing conditions and intelligence, as shown in the bottom screen.

Referring to FIG. 11, a diagram of a data flow for an active disease surveillance is shown. The surveillance may be performed using a Health Hero network platform. The platform generally comprises the medical community and the Health Buddies. The medical community may interact with the Health Buddies. The Health Buddies generally exchange data and dialogues with a secure data center via a network. The secure data center may perform real-time analysis for doctors, researchers and/or government agencies.

Referring to FIG. 12, a table comparing the Health Hero network to a conventional process is shown. The table generally lists several example criteria in a left column. A middle column explains how each criteria is handled by the conventional process. A right column explains how the Health Hero network performs for each of the criteria.

Referring to FIG. 13, a diagram of a Health Buddy coupled to a first sensor is shown. The first sensor may be implemented as a thermometer. Volunteers in a Citizen Sentinel Network may report symptoms measured using the sensor anonymously on a regular basis. Vulnerable, chronically ill, at risk, exposed and/or quarantined populations may be monitored frequently and automatically using the sensor and the Health Buddy. Thereafter, consolidated structured syndromic data may be analyzed statistically and in real-time.

Referring to FIG. 14, a diagram of a Health Buddy coupled to a second sensor is shown. The second sensor may be implemented as a fingerprint identification device or another biometric identification device. The second sensor may be used for quality assurance. A Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver 67 may be incorporated in the Health Buddy to determine a location of the measurements. Furthermore, a time-stamped location, identity and measurement packet may be transmitted to the data center via wireless data transmission.

Referring to FIG. 15, a diagram of example technologies and formats that may be used in the monitoring is shown. Individuals may interact with the secure data centers through the various forms of Health Buddies (e.g., patient interfaces) either directly and/or through a variety of optional home medical devices. The secure data centers may provide analysis tools to interact with the medical community.

Referring to FIG. 16, a schematic block diagram of example patient profile, shown in further detail in FIG. 16( a), and patient summaries, shown in further detail in FIG. 16( b), is shown. The medical community users may use the analysis tools for threat detection and management.

Referring to FIG. 17, a diagram of example interactive dialogues is shown. In the example, public health questions may be added to existing disease management queries.

The monitoring system generally provides biometric patient identification, GPS location detection, programming of scripted surveys based on latest threat information via digital broadcast and wireless data uploaded to central server. An analysis engine may analyze overlay of over the counter medications, chief complaints and/or home data to confirm outbreak or other anomalies. A threat level may be increased upon suspicion of a problem to actively collect enhanced data.

The monitoring system may include several options. For example, the Health Buddy may communicate with a digital thermometer plugged in via a BuddyLink. In another example, an integrated digital thermometer and survey capability may be provided in a wireless dedicated device. Furthermore, survey and data may be collection from consumer electronics platforms, such as mobile phones and personal digital assistant (PDA) applications. Digital interactive television application may be used for data collection. Satellite digital broadcasts with back-channel communications may be used for immediate national coverage. Furthermore, web applications may be integrated and/or accessed via web portals (e.g., Yahoo, MicroSoft Network (MSN) and America On Line (AOL)).

The present invention may provide several benefits compared with conventional approaches. For example, the Health Hero Network may give public health officials the ability to actively survey and analyze data from thousands of medical sites, pharmacies and homes.

Patterns may be identified at regional, state, national level with real-time data analysis. Health officials may dynamically probe deeper and ask new questions based on new information. Furthermore, the low-burden technology generally fits into existing health care processes, with intensity of monitoring that scales based on the threat level. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer implemented method for monitoring a plurality of individuals located across a regional, state, or national geographic area using a server executing instructions stored on a computer readable medium, the instructions comprising: (A) receiving, with the server, health-related data corresponding to one or more health conditions of said plurality of individuals from a respective device of a plurality of devices associated with said plurality of individuals and configured to produce said health-related data by (i) measuring one or more physiological parameters related to said one or more health conditions and (ii) receiving responses to one or more queries presented to said plurality of individuals, wherein said plurality of devices are (i) remotely located from said server, (ii) in communication with said server via a communications network, (iii) configured to generate data corresponding to a geographical location of each respective device of said plurality of devices, and (iv) configured to transmit said health-related data and said data corresponding to a geographical location of each respective device of said plurality of devices to said server; (B) highlighting (i) a population and (ii) a geographic region at risk of exposure to a disease by analyzing, with the server, said health-related data and said data corresponding to said geographical location of each respective device of said plurality of devices; (C) generating, with the server, one or more reports based on said health-related data and said data corresponding to said geographical location of each respective device of said plurality of devices; and (D) scaling, with the server, a level of surveillance among said plurality of individuals using the plurality of devices in response to a change in a threat level of said disease.
 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: generating, with the server, a visualization of said health-related data in response to said data corresponding to said geographical location of each respective device of said plurality of devices received from said devices.
 3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the steps of: generating, with the server, one or more surveys for one or more symptoms in response to said health-related data suggesting one or more outbreaks of said disease; and transmitting, with the server, said surveys only to said devices in proximity to one or more of said locations associated with said outbreaks based on said data corresponding to said geographical location of each respective device of said plurality of devices.
 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: storing one or more programs in said server; and transmitting said programs to one or more of said plurality of devices to convey one or more messages to one or more of said plurality of individuals.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said health-related data and said data corresponding to said geographical location of each respective device of said plurality of devices comprises sentinel data from a group of said individuals likely to catch said disease.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said one or more health conditions comprise at least one of (i) one or more physiological conditions and (ii) one or more symptoms.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said health-related data comprises one or more environmental variables.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: generating, with the server, one or more surveys in response to said health-related data and said data corresponding to said geographical location of each respective device of said plurality of devices when said health-related data and said data corresponding to said geographical location of each respective device of said plurality of devices suggest a link between said disease and at least one of said one or more health conditions among said plurality of individuals.
 9. The method according to claim 5, wherein the method further comprises: transmitting said surveys to said plurality of devices in said highlighted population and said highlighted geographic region.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said geographical location is generated by a global positioning system (GPS) located in each of said devices.
 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said data corresponding to said geographical location includes a time-stamped geographical location. 